In a significant move to strengthen the resilience of African cities in member states, the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with GIZ, has officially launched the Resilience Insight Africa digital platform on 5th March 2026.
The Resilience Insight Africa digital platform is a knowledge hub designed to enhance the technical and operational capacity of both state and non-state actors in Risk-Informed Urban Development (RIUD). This initiative arrives at a critical juncture as the continent seeks to harmonise urban development with climate adaptation and disaster risk management.
A Strategic Partnership for Urban Resilience
The Resilience Insight Africa platform plays a key role in advancing the African Union Commission’s (AUC) Africa Urban Resilience Programme (AURP). This programme was initiated with support from the Government of Sweden and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) via the Sahel Resilience Project. The AURP’s implementation benefits from collaboration with a range of partners, including the Government of Germany, which contributes through the Resilience Initiative Africa (RIA) project, managed by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Additionally, the European Union, under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Intra-ACP Natural Disaster Risk Programme, has provided crucial catalytic support for the development of the programme.
AURP, as the continental framework, aims to strengthen regional and national urban risk management policies, plans and institutional capacities of member states to address urban risks. This robust and continent-wide framework has been designed to guide and support urban resilience initiatives across Africa. In February 2024, AURP was endorsed by AU Member States and the Executive Council, respectively.
The Resilience Insight Africa platform, built with support from the RIA project, addresses a long-standing demand from regional and national partners for centralised information on urban resilience. In consolidating urban resilience-related resources previously fragmented, the hub offers a “one-stop shop” with English and French content, including:
- Evidence-Based Research: Comprehensive reports, frameworks, and technical fact sheets.
- Policy and Planning Tools: Practical instruments for city officials and urban planners.
- Knowledge Exchange: Case studies, expert insights, and updates on upcoming collaboration opportunities.
- Innovative Tools: Digital tools for integrating and navigating knowledge
- Latest news and events
Moving from Policy to Practice
The platform also aims to empower regional, national, and local governments, as well as community-led organisations, to identify and mitigate risks effectively. By integrating lived experiences with scientific research, the hub seeks to transform high-level policy statements into tangible, localised solutions that protect vulnerable urban populations.
The collaborative nature of this platform reflects the shared conviction of the AUC and its partners that urban resilience is a collective responsibility. As it evolves, the hub will continue to integrate new tools for navigating complex knowledge landscapes and foster cross-border cooperation.
Policymakers, urban planners, researchers, and civil society members are therefore encouraged to utilise the resources available on the platform to inform sustainable urban development strategies.
- Visit the Hub: https://www.resilienceinsightafrica.org
- Subscribe for Updates: Access the latest news and newsletters via the portal.
For further information contact:
Mrs. Teressa Custodio Pinto| Technical Coordinator for Disaster Risk Reduction| Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, Department for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment | E-mail: PintoT@africanunion.org
For media enquiry:
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke |Communication and Media Officer| Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | Email: MolaletT@africanunion.org
Ms. Maryanne Muriuki, Communications Analyst – Disaster Risk Reduction | Disaster Risk Reduction Unit | African Union Commission | E-mail: MuriukiM@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
